New North Fork Community Club Opens At Former Knights Of Columbus

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A building that holds years of memories for generations of North Fork residents has been reborn: The former Knights of Columbus building on Depot Lane in Cutchogue begins a new chapter as the North Fork Community Club.

Back in August, Jason and Nicole Barkley purchased the property, located at 2050 Depot Lane.

"As a local family, we're very excited to have the opportunity to continue using the building and grounds as the KOC did," Jason wrote in a recent Facebook post. "As the name suggests, our goal is to cater to you, the community."

Since they purchased the property, the newlyweds — the pair were married in October — have worked hard to breathe new life into the facility, installing irrigation, cleaning the building, adding new fixtures, and remodeling the three bathrooms.

In two weeks, Jason said, a new floor will be installed, the 2,000 square foot space will be painted.

"It's pretty much a full renovation," he said.

Speaking to Patch on Monday, Jason, who grew up in Greenport and graduated from Greenport High School, said Nicole's parent's and grandparents had a house in Southold for years.

Although she grew up in Farmingville, Nicole spent her summers on the North Fork before moving to the area full time 18 years ago, she said.

The couple, who has two children, Madison, 8, and Matthew, 2, represents what so many lifetime residents on the North Fork hope to cultivate and foster — the next generation, who plants their own roots deep in local soil, raising a family and investing time and heart in their business and in the community.

Jason, who also works in human resources in the Southampton Union Free School District, said he and his wife also own the I'm Bouncing bounce house rental business in the area.

Local residents have reacted with joy to the news that the couple has breathed new life into the old Knights of Columbus, giving the building the chance to once again echo with the sounds of laughter at parties and gatherings.

The community, Jason said, is thrilled to welcome, and do business with, local young people, rather than find a business from farther west.

He and his wife also work hard to shop local, Jason said, frequenting local hardware stores and other businesses as they strive to realize their own dream.

The former Knights of Columbus holds deep meaning, Jason said, who remembers playing Bingo there with his own mom. "I went there as a little kid," he said. "The stage is in the same spot as it was then. With the seats all lined up, I still remember people calling out the numbers."

When the property first hit the market more than a year ago, it wasn't widely advertised, Jason said; just a small sign out front announced the news. At first, he said, the price was a bit high, but eventually, the stars aligned and the purchase was within reach.

Planning a wedding and pouring energy into a new business, along with having two kids, a full-time job, and the bounce house business has been a whirlwind, Jason admitted.

But sharing the journey with Nicole has made the adventure that much sweeter. "She always said how great it is that we're together on the weekends, working on this, instead of doing our own things," he said.

And down the line, Jason said it's his hope to build a business and a legacy on the North Fork to leave his children.

"We're putting down roots, staying in the same community where I grew up," he said. "I hope the day comes that Madison becomes involved, if she wants to. . .I want them to grow up and understand business."

Looking ahead, Jason has a full slate of potential events he hopes to offer at the North Fork Community Club, with "community" being at the heart of the business.

From a bridge club comprised mostly of seniors that already meets at the site, to weddings, craft fairs, birthday parties for kids and adults, Sweet 16s, quinceaneras, graduation, retirement, and anniversary events, club meetings, reunions, paint nights, and classes including yoga, tai chi, power walking and others, Jason hopes to provide a resource for residents — at an affordable price.

"There aren't many affordable options right now," he said.

Those hoping to marry at a vineyard might have to look at base prices beginning at $10,000, Jason said, something that's not affordable for many young couples.

"How does a person who's 25, 30, who wants to live in the place where they grew up, afford a party, much less a house?" he asked.

Instead, he plans to keep the prices the same as what the former Knights of Columbus charged for years, $150 per hour, or $200 per hour on summer weekends; an amount that's half the price of most other venues in the area, Jason said.

And, he said, what's meaningful for both he and his wife is embracing the concept of adaptive reuse, giving the former Knights of Columbus new life for the next generations.

Reflecting on how it feels to be opening a business in a building that has such deep meaning for the community, Jason said, "It feels good. It will feel a lot better when people start to come in and say they want to have a party. Right now, I see debt," he laughed. "We just bought a house a year ago, just bought the bounce house business 3 years ago. We have a lot on our plate. We have 2 small kids, and we're risking everything. But the truth of the matter is this is an opportunity, and how often in life does the opportunity present itself to do something? If I didn’t do it, a year from now I'd look at it and say, "Darn, some other guy is doing what I should have done.'"

His voice filled with pride, Jason speaks of painstakingly making countless trips to the town's transfer station for screened topsoil, working hard to grow his business; replacing older bathrooms with rickety stalls into new facilities — of transforming the site and seeing a dream take shape.

One day, he hopes to see his kids and their friends have the community center be a place where they can work, plan their own futures. "This is their legacy," he said.

His goal, Jason said, is to "create a beautiful place that reminds you of vineyards and higher end places, but that's affordable, so you can enjoy time here with your family. Just like a baseball game for a family of 4 used to be $50 and now it's $300 — we want to provide a place where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this place, not just someone who has more money."

He added, "We're happy to provide you with an affordable option, something that's hard to come by on the North Fork these days."

To reach the North Fork Community Club, call 631-405-8981, email info@northforkcommunityclub.com or message the couple on Facebook.

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.